The acting mayor of Mnquma in the Eastern Cape and 17 co-accused appeared in the Butterworth Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of allegedly running a kangaroo court.
It is alleged that at the court, suspected criminals were assaulted and some were killed.
The 18 were released on bail of R1 000 each and ordered to appear again on June 21. They were warned not to interfere with witnesses and that they should not attend or organise meetings at their ”court”.
Acting mayor Ndyebo Skelenge (50) and his co-accused were arrested last week following the investigations by the head of Operation Good Night, Captain Bongani Maqhashalala.
He became aware that the court was operating in January. The court allegedly opens on Sundays in Ibika and Cuba townships outside Butterworth and searches for suspected criminals.
Among the charges being investigated is the killing of Andile Njoloza (20), who was shot in a house in Cuba last month. Captain Gcinikaya Taleni said that on May 19, the group allegedly went to a house in Mchubakazi to arrest alleged criminals whom they accused of theft in the area. Njoloza was shot and fatally wounded.
The accused were ordered to report to court officials or to the police’s serious violent crime unit in Butterworth every month while they are out on bail.
The other accused are: Nobelungu Gertrude Phikela (42), Sizwe Stanford Maschila (42), Mawethu Sondamase (38), Donga Msikinya (52), Crosby Gwe (50), Malibongwe Krele (37), Mxolisi Jordaan (42), Lundi Mantanga (39), Zukile Mbotho (44), Konke Bomela (45), Odwa Faltein (27), Zandile Mkoka (37), Mhlangano Kalmashe (30), Mziwoxolo Sapepa (42), Mlamli Dyubeni (43), Anderson Mgagase (33), and Phumelele Hamilton Mbuku (37). – Sapa